A New Addition!

Out of date, rusty and constantly in need of repair, Alvarez’s beloved stapler has finally been retired. In its place is a brand new eco-friendly stapler, bought specifically for the classroom by his wife, Tracy.

The old office supply was a hindrance to the classroom – causing anxiety for history and journalism students alike. It always failed to staple papers together, which did happen to be its only job. It survived years of battery and was even recently stolen.

Sick of constantly having to borrow a stapler from others, Alvarez finally invested in this fine piece of equipment, which he has skillfully labeled with his name. Copious amounts of tape was used to brand this item, however it is for good reason. There will never be any confusion as to whose stapler it is, and if it is ever missing it will be easy to find.

Although the tape is contradictory to the fact that the stapler is eco-friendly, the stapler itself is a huge improvement, not only to the classroom, but to Alvarez’s well-being.

Photo Credit: http://www.teachersdiary.com

 

If I was President

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Photo Credit to: http://uanews.org/

The world would be a better place if I were President.

I’m well aware I’d be a little bit over my head with some topics, but let me tell you what I would change right off the bat.

Let’s talk foreign affairs. Let’s talk Women’s rights.

How about we make sure that fewer kids go to bed hungry every night, in our own country.

When you’re on a plane, an educational video comes on the screen before you take off.

The video tells the passenger to put on their own oxygen mask before helping their child – or anyone else, if the plane was to go down.

The same standard should be held to certain aspects of foreign affairs.

Women’s rights? Where do I begin? There needs to be more women elected into higher positions so we have both genders represented on Capital Hill.

If I was President, I would make sure I practice what I preach.

So, watch out election of 2033, because I have some big plans.

Time to Change

Feminist: A person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.

The basic idea of Feminism revolves around the sole principle that because our human bodies are designed to perform differently in order to procreate – our intelligence, social functions, capabilities, and rights should be considered equal.

The word “feminist” has picked up a negative connotation in recent years. Why is that? How did independence turn into “man-hating”?

Men and women pay the same for college tuition. So, how does it make sense that we could leave college, get the same job, but as woman I make 75-cents for every mans dollar?

Women were, and in certain ways still are, treated as inferior to men.
Sexism began as early as Aristotle, who claimed that women were ‘imperfect’ men since they did not contain a male reproductive system.

Children are taught in princess movies that a prince has to come and save the day for everything to be okay. How about we teach our daughters that they can save themselves instead?

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Emma Watson speaking about feminism and her campaign, “He for She” at the U.N. Photo Credit: socialnewsdaily.com

Actress, model, and spokeswoman, Emma Watson, was named U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador. She gave a life altering speech recently on this very subject, feminism. The speech left the entire room in tears and on their feet clapping – both women, and men.

We expect society to change – when as a society, we do not do enough to change it.

An Abundance of Autumn

However it is celebrated, autumn is a season to rejoice – the weather becomes colder and Halloween is just around the corner.

Although some don’t love the cold, to most it means oversized sweaters, and relaxing in the fresh air. California’s hot weather is nice for a while, but by the time fall rolls around, many are grateful for the change.

The smell of leaves changing is an important aspect of autumn – it embodies the season perfectly. Here, there aren’t enough trees to jump into leaf piles, but it’s nice nonetheless.

By the time fall comes along, Halloween is in the near future, and is already highly anticipated. Whether that means preparing a costume, or just enjoying all the spirit, Halloween is an exciting Holiday.

Not only is autumn important on its own, but it is the gateway into the winter holidays, which leads to an abundance of spirit. As a whole, fall is a wonderful season, filled with many great features.

Photo Credit: http://www.get-frenched.com

News Flash

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Young kids are taught this daily. Where did that principle go?

Pop-culture instills a competitive state of mind into children all day, everyday. How do we, as a society, expect for the next generation to come out any differently if we are all stuck in the same cycle?

This cycle may be better known as the idea that lowering somebody’s self esteem somehow makes yours grow.

While this topic may be more prevalent for girls, boys have it just as rough. We’re all just in the rat race to be better than the next. We all are too stuck in the idea that taking someone down raises you higher. News Flash! No matter how much you thrash somebody else’s reputation, yours does not rise.

I dare you reader – I dare you to give a sincere compliment to three people in the next 24 hours. What does that take out of your day? Maybe 5 minutes in total. But to them, that will probably make their day.

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Photo Credit to: http://janessajaye.com/

The Simple Habits

Throughout life you pick up simple habits. Sometimes they last forever, sometimes they last only for a duration of time when the situation has passed.

The way she pushes her bangs away from her face, though they’ve grown all the way out and tied up into a neat, workplace bun.

The way he hits the switch on the wall, though his younger sister is no longer afraid of the dark.

Habits can form for no reason whatsoever, yet they can be all the reason you change.

The way he sneaks out of the house at night, though he no longer lives with his parents.

The way she shuts her door all the way, though she knows nobody is home.

They aren’t really habits though, in a sense, it’s a part of their life now.

The way she clutches at her bag in the Paris subway, though there’s nobody around to rob her.

The way he checks for his lighter, wallet, then keys, in that order, though he has quit smoking three months ago.

When you loose a habit, that chapter of your life has ended.

The way he no longer reaches for his crutch when standing up.

The way she no longer holds her hairband in her teeth when tying a high pony.

Then a new habit begins, without you even realizing it.

The way she keeps her hand over her pocket to feel for her phone vibrating.

The way he keeps his head low, watching the ground with great care.

A Third Voice for America

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United States’ politics are ridiculous.

At the time of the writing of this blog our elected officials have still not approved a budget. While there may be many factors that contribute to this a major one is the United States’ two party political system. Right now the only political parties that can win Presidential elections (and most House and Senate seats) are the Republican and Democratic parties. Unfortunately only having two real choice hurts the voter.

While many Americans would say they are unhappy with both political parties they most often choose what they consider the lesser of two evils (whether that be Republicans or Democrats). An American who votes for a third-party under the current political system is essentially wasting their vote. Third parties in the United States do not have an enough public support to compete with the Republican and Democratic parties. As a result Americans must elect the same elected officials over and over again.

However this can all change.

If Republicans and Democrats keep running this nation into the ground the American people will grow tired of both parties. When that happens other political parties can (and will) rise to power and represent the interests of the many instead of the few.

A Government Shutdown?

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What is a government shutdown? One would expect that it involves a government shutting down. In the United States however this is not the case. Instead government shutdown is a term Democrats and Republicans use to blame each other. It is also used to stir up fury in the American people, who would fear a dreaded shutdown.

A more accurate term for this “ government shutdown” would be a limited government cutback. In its current state the federal government is shutting down non-essential services and unfortunately jobs. Approximately 800,000 federal workers will, temporarily, lose their jobs.

A true government could occur if Democrats and Republicans cannot pass a federal budget that both agree to. The longer this government cutback lasts the larger the effect it will have on the United States and the American people. Most likely one side will cave in to the other sides demands. I find the possibility of a true compromise remote, if a budget is not created then the federal government will cease to function.

My Anecdote

As the leaves change colors maybe your love will too.

As the fall brings change hopefully it comes in more than one way.

I have waited for too long to give up now, so don’t you give up either.

We both know it’s there, but something has to make it appear.

Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone,

But I don’t know how to leave.

I don’t think I can leave.

And if I could I don’t think I would.

Time heals all wounds, but what if only half of my body is trying to heal the wound.

Will it ever heal?

Maybe you are my anecdote.

Suck the poison from my veins.

Help me stop dying.

Slowly wasting away waiting.

Sitting, and waiting.

Watching, hoping.

Crying and laughing.

Fall back and spring forward.

Fall back (in love with me) Spring forward (into a new life)

As the leaves change, I will remain the same, but maybe your colors will change too.

The Last Gasp (?)

Justice Scalia knew this day would come.

The coming years will mark the end of the grumpy-old-socially-conservative-white-male political system.

States have already begun legalizing Marijuana for not only medicinal use, but also recreational use. Not to mention the “radical idea” of letting gay people marry has come around to existence in many states as well.

The nation has a restless youth that not only wants but needs to make a difference. Using new media such as secure chat rooms, tor and other encrypted ways of communicating, the population of America can be seen making a difference. The most obvious of these recent restless movements was the Occupy protests which sparked a symbol of rebellion all around the world.

The population is upset, and there’s going to be a difference.

Right?

I mean, it’s not like we haven’t seen this before. In the 60’s and 70’s everyone was pumped up about making a difference, and some WAS made, but a few short years after that the still angry and energized youth was given Ronald Reagan, the exact opposite of what they wanted. Then, there were a couple of Bushes, and we all know how that turned out. Even in other countries this has happened throughout history. In Russia, a change was very badly needed so the people turned to Lenin. Before long they had Stalin.

Now, this country is most certainly not headed towards a Stalin-esque type leader, but you get my point.

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